:: Ethereal Dream ::
Lu Shengyi
Ever since I was reincarnated and given a second chance at being 'me', I have been having very profound dreams. In each dream, I see a different thing. But no matter how hard I try, I can't remember what I dreamed of the night before.
I don't remember how I got to sleep other than being angered by the stupidity of Shan Hanyu. After all the hints I have dropped to him, he still never desists to irritate me and keeps poking his nose into my affairs. To think he has been harassing Xiaoxian to pry information about me!
I have made myself very clear that I am only working with him for the sake of the project. If I could send him into eternal damnation, I would! However, I am better than that. I will be the bigger person and persevere. Once we have graduated, I hope that our paths never cross each other ever again.
Tonight's dream, however, feels a little different. I see myself in an ethereal realm with colourful clouds pathing my way as I saunter about the area. Even after pondering for some time, I still don't know what I am here for. The serenity of the place puts me into outright stupefaction. The world I live in is so noisy, that I need time like this to relax my mind and forget my worries. Of course, there isn't much now since I was reincarnated. If the deal with the devil is real, I should have much-untapped power. But I am not about to use that just yet.
I look down at my clothing. I am clad in a pure white lace gown that reaches down to my ankles. It is almost like a bridal gown, only much lighter and thinner. I feel at ease in the dress, and somehow, it feels special to me. I do not know if this dress has any particular meaning to the dreamscape I am in, although it seems to match the surroundings very well.
Everything about the environment is so surreal. The sky is a combination of blue and purple, adorned with large, tall trees of autumn colours. Their leaves sweep around me in little swirling movements, but there are no birds or smaller creatures. It appears so desolate. If only I had my book, I would be leaning back and enjoying a long read without a soul to bother me. My curious mind wonders who is the owner of this place and why is it deserted.
Then, I hear a voice call out to me in an ice-like tone.
"Angel, how do you like this place?"
I turn around repeatedly, but I do not see anyone. The voice is horrendously familiar, but the more I think of it, the more my head throbs.
"Angel, there's nobody else that suits this place more than you."
I shudder. A gale of cold wind hits me in a full blast. Then, in one single stroke, a figure in a dark black robe descends upon me and immobilises me with his touch.
His fingers are as cold as ice and streak past my clothing to send tingles of coldness down my spine. I refrain from letting out a sound as I contemplate what I should do in this moment of jeopardy. I am not afraid, and amidst my confused thoughts, I search for a solution in my mind.
"I am Cullen, your devil." He fingers my temple, moving about my head and twisting strands of hair around his thin fingers. I abstain from caving to arousal from his touches, taking a few deep breaths and commanding myself to contain my emotions and desires.
Control, Lu Shengyi, Control!
Without losing his cool, he seizes my chin abruptly and compels me to meet his gaze with a confounding stare into my eyes that seem to impale right through me like a sword. I feel a surge of emotions that permeate me and victimise me with such ardour. His eyes are large and cold, just like his demeanour, but seductive.
It happens just in the blink of an eye. It doesn't register in my brain when he has made his move upon me, because we are already connected by our lips. His tongue invades my mouth, chilling it to the core. His lips taste soft and tender, unlike those of Shan Hanyu, as I recall from our past life. I have never been kissed like this, even in the past. His kisses cause me to freeze, stinging my lips and sending me into submission.
All of a sudden, my lips seem to burn. He breaks the kiss very suddenly, inserting some distance between us. I am cast aside, but I feel his fury lingering in the atmosphere surrounding us.
"Angel, you are not allowed to think about others when you are with me! Be mindful of that. Soon, I will come again, and collect on our deal."
His now-angry tone makes me realise that he is now very pissy. As if linked to his mood, the surroundings transform instantaneously. What was calm and breathtakingly beautiful earlier has now turned into a dark and eerie lava-marked territory. This has to be the realm of the devil. Under the moonlight, he looks devilish and ominous. His visage is now clear before my eyes.
I cannot find any words to describe the devil's facial features. He is handsome, seductive, threatening, fear-inducing, thrilling - all added into one. I cannot imagine being enslaved to this creature by the deal aka contract signed with him and on the other hand, a big part in me wants to discover what it is like.
His mood changes very speedily. He lets out a sinister smile, moving on fast from his angry version earlier.
"Soon, Angel, soon."
Everything fades into a complete blank. I no longer sense I am in the devil's world but have returned to my own. My whole body aches with fatigue as I forcibly open my heavy eyes and recognise the familiar bed I am lying in. I am back in my pink princessy bedroom and in my normal clothing, but the coldness of his touch and kisses seem to be etched deep in my memory. His name is now very evident to me.
Cullen… Cullen Fu? No, that cannot be. I correct myself. My devil is called Cullen, but he cannot be Cullen Fu. Cullen Fu is the wealthiest socialite that is known to have countless women but his tendency of dropping a 'relationship' is too terrifying. He changes lovers like clothing. I do not want to be shackled to such a man. After all that happened to me, I will never allow myself to be toyed with again.
Cullen Fu is a normal human. My devil Cullen isn't from this world, I reassure myself, and try my best to return to sleep.
Hours later
My body still aches I drag my feet through the university grounds. It is time to present the project to Professor Wang. I detest the thought of seeing Shan Hanyu in the campus again, but I want to do it and be done with it. Hopefully, after this semester, I will never have anything to do with him again.
Professor Wang determines the work is worth an A. I hold my head up high and rejoice with Xiaoxian after that. But then I realise something.
She is looking towards Shan Hanyu and a blush creeps over her cheeks. In my experience, I know what it means: the mark of stupid, innocent love. I don't know if I should tell her how Shan Hanyu is like, but would she believe me, or think I am just spouting nonsense?
If the timelines in my current life have been altered and I have met Shan Hanyu earlier, will it mean that Shan Hanyu still has a thirst for stock trading, or is he a changed person? As far as I recall, Xiaoxian was never involved in my past life, how will it differ now that she is pulled into our lives?
I scour my brain for an explanation. Then, an idea occurs to me.
Should Xiaoxian be genuinely interested in Shan Hanyu, then perhaps she will be the person who will salvage me from the terror of my original fate, and be the one to marry Shan Hanyu? If my original fate is altered, then maybe Xiaoxian ends up with Shan Hanyu, and I…
...I will end up with nobody. I have signed a deal to renounce my love, remember?
At least, this way, I will stand not to be swindled of my hard-earned savings, Shengyi Corporation will not cease to exist, and I will survive!
Then, I consider, what happens with the devil when he collects on my debt? Will he take my soul and possibly my life when he comes? After all, in the dream, he has mentioned 'soon'. I don't know how soon is his 'soon', but before then, I know what I have to do.
In a number of weeks, Shengyi Company will have its official launching ceremony, and I, Lu Shengyi, will do what it takes to rebuild my empire. After all, I have seven years before November 2018 happens.
And this time, I will be sure to make the events of 2018 turn out differently.